Adjustable book support



' Sept. 19, 1939.

w. D. SMITH 2,173,379

ADJUSTABLE BOOK SUPPORT Filed June 16, 1958 r 4 ,3 G197 if I INVENTOR, I z //e/J/? W/ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Walter Dale Smith,

Kansas City, Kans.

I Application June 16, 1938, Serial No. 214,013

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable book support and particularly to an adjustable book support adapted to support a book in proper position for reading.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable book support having simple and efiicient means whereby the angle of inclination of the book supporting panel may be varied.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a book support having sturdy means for adjustment of the book support that re quires a minimum amount of table room.

Other objects of the invention are simplicity and beauty of construction, ease of operation, and a large range of adjustment.

Reference will now be had to the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable book support having a book shown in dotted lines thereon, embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the adjustable book support shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the book support in the operative position; and,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Throughout the several views, like reference characters designate similar parts, and the numeral i is a base member made of an elongated piece of wood, or any other suitable material, beveled at one corner as at l2 and having the other corners rounded. A groove I4 is formed along one side of base member ID to receive the edge portion of a book supporting panel l6, which is shown, of rectangular shape.

A cross bar I8 is secured adjacent the upper edge of panel l6 at the back thereof. A ratchet member 2!] is adjustably secured'to the base member H! by means of binge 22, and is provided at its free end with a series of ratchet teeth 24. These teeth are disposed in substantially spaced apart vertical relation.

A tongue 26 is attached to cross bar I8 by means of hinge 28 so that the free end thereof is positioned to engage ratchet teeth 24, whereby panel It may be secured in any desired angle of inclination to the supporting member T.

By means of this particular type of support for panel 16, it is apparent that the angle of inclination may be easily and quickly adjusted, and that the supporting parts will not extendtoo far to the rear of the panel so that only a small space will be required to support the device regardless of the angle of inclination of the panel.

The book B, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, is held in position by means of spring clips 30, which are adjustably carried by base member l0 by means of bolts 3|. These clips are spaced apart from the panel so that when the book rests upon the upper forward edge of base member II], the free ends 32 will rest against the leaves of the book to hold them in the desired position.

It will be noted that the hinged end of the ratchet member is disposed above the table level and that only the free end thereof rests on the table when the device is in the operative position.

It is apparent that many changes might be made in the structure of the parts without departing from the spirit of this invention, and it is desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable book support comprising a panel; a ratchet member hingedly carried by said panel and having a series of ratchet teeth disposed one above the other at its free end; and a tongue hingedly secured adjacent the top of said panel, adapted to selectively engage said ratchet teeth to support said panel in an inclined position.

2. An adjustable book support comprising a panel adapted to receive a book; a ratchet member hinged at its one end adjacent the bottom of said panel and a series of ratchet teeth disposed one above the other at its free end; a tongue hingedly secured adjacent the top of said panel above said ratchet teeth adapted to selectively engage said ratchet teeth to support said panel in an inclined position.

3. An adjustable book support comprising a book supporting panel having a base member; a ratchet member hingedly carried by said base member to be raised or lowered as the inclination of said base member is changed, and having ratchet teeth disposed one above the other in vertical relation at its free end; and a tongue hingedly carried by said panel above said ratchet teeth, adjustable to engage therewith to support said panel in a predetermined inclined position.

4. An adjustable book support comprising an elongated base member having a groove formed in one of its longitudinal sides; a panel having one of its edges fitted into said groove; a cross bar parallel with said base member extending across the upper rear portion of the panel; a ratchet member hingedly carried by said base member and having ratchet teeth at its free end disposed one above the other; and a tongue hingedly carried by said cross bar above said ratchet member whereby the angle of inclination may be varied by selectively adjusting said tongue to engage said ratchet teeth.

WALTER DALE SMITH. 

